Leroy Cornelius Copeland, (also known as “Coondog” and “Big Boy”), of Williamsburg, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017. He was born in Suffolk on March 10, 1962, to the late Coley Copeland Jr. and Juanita Rodgers Copeland. He was a 1980 graduate of John F. Kennedy High School, Suffolk.

For 25 years, he was married to his beloved wife, Emma Vines Copeland. A few of his past employers included Gwaltney, Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock and Eastern State Hospital as a psychiatric aide. Leroy loved life and he loved people. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and bowling. There was nothing he would not do for anyone in need, especially his family.

He leaves to cherish his memories, his wife, Emma Vines Copeland; sisters, Alice Rodgers-Demps, Shirley Whitfield, Sonya Copeland and Tina Copeland; brothers, Coley Copeland III (Vernell), Benjamin Copeland (Sylvia) and Randy Copeland (Vanessa); brothers-in-law, Jack Vines (Tempy) and Jarvis Vines; sisters-in-law, Shirley Hopkins and Patricia Mitchell; aunts, Edith Sessoms, Eunice Wiggins, Florence Robinson and Florene Mason; great-aunts, Sylvia Battle, Lealer Manley and Mollie Jordan; great-uncles, David Jordan Sr. and Joseph Jordan (Peggy); an adopted mother, Dorothy T. White; his devoted friend, Alexander “Buck” Blow; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A funeral service will be held at noon, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017, in Healing Chapel Baptist Church, 2375 Godwin Blvd., Suffolk. Mr. Copeland may be viewed from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home. Interment will be held at noon Friday in Williamsburg Memorial Park. Professional services entrusted to the staff of Whiting’s Funeral Home, 7005 Pocahontas Trail, Williamsburg. 757-229-3011. whitingsfuneralhome.com.